Duration: 15 minutes
SPIRIT Skills:
- Emotional awareness, regulation and communication
- Empathy
Brief Description:
At the end of the activity, children sit together in a circle in the natural setting or back in class. The teacher facilitates a short reflective moment, asking students to connect their inner emotions with the natural elements they explored. This moment helps consolidate emotional awareness and encourages shared reflection.
How does this develop particular SPIRIT skills
- Emotional awareness – by recognizing how emotions manifest in personal experiences and nature
- Empathy – by listening to how others felt during the experience
- Self-regulation – by slowing down and reflecting calmly.
What do we want to achieve regarding SPIRIT skill development (student understanding and/or behaviour)?
- Deepen the connection between emotional states and external symbols
- Reinforce shared emotional vocabulary
- Foster group cohesion through calm closure.
Academic/Curriculum Objective connection
- Science – understanding nature through sensory/emotional interpretation
- Language Arts – reflective speaking and listening
Materials and tools needed for implementation
- Natural elements collected during the hunt
- Optional: emotion cards or images for visual support.
Preparation notes
- Choose a quiet spot for the circle
- Ensure everyone has a chance to speak or be heard
- Encourage non-verbal participation (e.g., showing an item to represent a feeling.
Guided Questions
- Was there a moment in nature today that surprised you?
- Which object helped you understand an emotion better?
- Did you learn something new about your own feelings?
Stage Debriefing Questions (Optional)
- How does nature help you connect with your emotions?
- Would you like to do this kind of activity again? Why?
Tips and Tricks for dealing with stage challenges
- Accept all levels of participation, including silence or gestures
- Keep the tone calm and reassuring
- Rephrase questions if needed using simpler language or emotional icons.